William Whitaker (geologist)
William Whitaker | |
---|---|
University College, London | |
Known for | Hydrogeology |
Spouse | Mary Whitaker (Nee Keogh) |
Awards | Murchison Medal (1886) Prestwich Medal (1906) Wollaston Medal (1923) |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Geologist |
William Whitaker (4 May 1836 in London[1] – 15 January 1925 in Croydon) was a British geologist.
Early life
He was educated at
Career
He became a geologist, specializing initially in water surveying and mapping. His thorough research, wide knowledge, and his numerous publications, especially his book "The Geology of London and of Part of the Thames Valley" (1889) has led some to call him “the father of English hydrogeology”. He retired in 1896 but continued to work as a water engineer.
... The long lines of escarpment which stretch across several parts of England were formerly considered to be undoubtedly ancient coast-lines; but now we know that they stand up above the general surface merely from resisting air, rain and frost better than the adjoining formations. It has rarely been the good fortune of a geologist to bring conviction to the minds of his fellow-workers on a disputed point by a single memoir; but Mr. Whitaker, of the Geological Survey of England, was so fortunate when, in 1867, he published his paper "On sub-aerial Denudation, and on Cliffs and Escarpments of the Chalk." ....[2]
Honours
He was elected fellow of the
Further reading
Oxford Dictionary of National Bibliography
References
- ^ Addison, Henry Robert; Oakes, Charles Henry; Lawson, William John; Sladen, Douglas Brooke Wheelton (1905). "WHITAKER, William". Who's Who. Vol. 57. p. 1719.
- ^ Darwin, Charles (1896). The formation of vegetable mould, through the action of worms, with observations on their habits. New York: D. Appleton & Co. p. 232.
- ^ Transactions of the Institution of Mining Engineers. Vol. LXIX.- 1924-1925, London 1925, page 200
- Entry in Who's Who
- W. H. George: entry in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
External links
- Works by or about William Whitaker at Wikisource